Phala Phala vote turns parliament into a joke

Tuesday’s parliamentary vote on the Section 89 report on the Phala Phala game farm theft scandal came down to party loyalty instead of integrity.

The ANC MPs chose President Cyril Ramaphosa in defiance of the principles which the party represents.

Most Cabinet ministers and ANC MPs toed the party line to protect their plush jobs. In rejecting the report, they directly insulted the ideals of the ANC.

They lost sight of the fact that this motion was not about declaring Ramaphosa guilty, it was for further investigation into the Phala Phala saga. Yet the ANC used its majority to trample the report and send the message that parliament wasted taxpayers’ money in agreeing to the panel’s establishment in the first place.

They have ultimately turned parliament into a joke. They hid behind the excuse that the panel’s report is hearsay and lacks concrete evidence. They said the Phala Phala issue ought to be given space for law enforcement to conclude on the matter.

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But as that is happening, they forgot that it being in the hands of the investigative authorities does not prevent parliament from adopting the report and executing its own investigation into a debacle that is making headlines every day.

Therefore, with the way the result swayed, Ramaphosa has been shielded from accountability. This is total disregard of what parliament should be advocating. The result betrayed South Africans and was a sad day for democracy.

This type of behaviour encourages Ramaphosa to avoid taking the country into his confidence. It is the reason for his failure to address the nation and relay the events that took place on his farm.

But even though the majority of ANC MPs sided with the wrong side of history, we should admire those who chose to show integrity. It is commendable that Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma showcased what it means to be “a truly disciplined member of the ANC”.

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She told Newzroom Afrika that she made the decision after ANC chair Gwede Mantashe stopped the national executive committee (NEC) meeting on 5 December before she could speak.

Former North West premier Supra Mahumapelo, MP Mervyn Dirks and former Free State MEC Mosebenzi Zwane also stood their ground and defended their conscience.

But the absence of Tourism Minister Lindiwe Sisulu and former health minister Dr Zweli Mkhize spoke volumes. This was a clear act of defiance against the ANC NEC’s decision to vote against the adoption of the report. And their fellow parliamentarians know that and will label them cowards.

Now, instead of facing disciplinary hearings, they will meet Ramaphosa at the elective conference starting on Friday without having been suspended or expelled. Their stance is a matter of strategy and avoiding Ramaphosa’s wrath.

Unfortunately, instead of honouring those who chose their conscience, those who voted “yes” might find themselves facing a disciplinary hearing.

But for the country, party loyalty won’t matter. All South Africans wanted to know was what happened at Phala Phala and the ANC has squashed that chance.

The ANC in parliament has put the interest of one individual over the country’s interest. They united over the wrong thing and destroyed the renewal they say they were working towards.

What the ANC MPs have failed to notice is one thing: with the general elections in 2024 around the corner and if Ramaphosa is still president of the ANC, voters won’t show mercy to them.

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